HMB Fire Chief announces his intention to leave department

In an email sent today at 1:46pm, Half Moon Bay Interim Fire Chief Pete Bonano announced he would be leaving the department soon: "Due to issues involving my personal life - NOT due to any issue relating to this Fire Department - I’m not able to continue much longer as the Interim Fire Chief."

Bonano said that Mike Preston, retired Chief from the City of Newark, would be his most likely replacement and said he’d remain in place until Preston could take over.

This announcement comes less than 24 hours after the board meeting where his recommendation to outsource fire services was discussed.

NOTE: You can now download the five-page list of deficiencies noted by the San Mateo Fire Department in the Half Moon Bay department’s fire prevention programs [PDF] from Coastsider.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Point Montara Fire Protection District will discuss Chief Bonano’s recommendations at a special board meeting, Thursday, March 23 at 10:00am. The meeting will be at the Sheriff’s Substation, at California St. and Highway 1, Moss Beach.